Patents by Inventor H. Jim Fulford

H. Jim Fulford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220139783
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes forming a first layer stack on a substrate, the first layer stack including conductive layers and dielectric layers that alternate in the first layer stack. An opening is formed in the first layer stack, the opening extending through each of the conductive layers in the first layer stack such that sidewalls of each of the conductive layers are exposed within the opening. A second stack of layers is formed within the opening, the second stack of layers including channel layers of semiconductor material positioned in the second stack such that each channel layer contacts exposed sidewalls of a respective conductive layer of the first layer stack. Transistor channels are from the channel layers of the second stack such that each transistor channel extends between exposed sidewalls of a respective conductive layer within the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford
  • Publication number: 20220139786
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. For example, the method can include providing a substrate. The substrate can include a first type region and a second type region. The method can also include forming a multilayer stack on the substrate. The multilayer stack can include alternate metal layers and dielectric layers. The method can also include forming first and second openings through the multilayer stack to uncover the first and second type regions, respectively. The method can also include forming first and second vertical channel structures within the first and second openings, respectively. Each of the first and second vertical channel structures can have source, gate and drain regions being in contact with vertical sidewalls of the metal layers of the multilayer stack uncovered by a respective one of the first and second openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Mark I. GARDNER, H. Jim FULFORD
  • Publication number: 20220115271
    Abstract: Techniques herein include methods for fabricating three-dimensional (3D) logic or memory stack integrated with 3D metal routing. The methods can include stacking metal layers within existing 3D silicon stacks. A first portion can be masked while a second, uncovered portion is etched. Predetermined layers in a bottom portion (disposed closer to the substrate) of the multilayer stack can be replaced with a conductor. The second portion can be masked while the first portion is uncovered and processed. This can enable higher density 3D circuits by having multiple metal lines contained within a multilayer 3D nano-sheet. Advantageously, this facilitates easier connections for 3D logic and memory. Moreover, better speed performance can be achieved by having reduced distance for signals to travel to transistor connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. GARDNER, H. Jim FULFORD, Anton DEVILLIERS
  • Patent number: 11302587
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for fabricating a 3D semiconductor apparatus. The method can include forming a multilayer stack including a plurality of dielectric layers. The dielectric layers can include three or four dielectric materials that can be etched selectively with respect to one another. The method can also include forming opening(s) in the multilayer stack, and filling the opening(s) with first and second channel materials to form first and second channels that interface at a transition dielectric layer the multilayer stack. The method can also include removing second and first source/drain (S/D) dielectric layers of the multilayer stack and replacing with second and first S/D materials to form second and first S/D regions, respectively. The method can also include removing gate dielectric layers of the multilayer stack and replacing with a gate material to form gate regions of the 3D semiconductor apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford
  • Publication number: 20220102345
    Abstract: Techniques herein include methods for fabricating vertical stacks of vertical-channel transistors. Vertical channels can be made from an initial epitaxial structure, and electrically isolated at locations to divide the structure into multiple, independent vertical channels. Techniques enable modulating PMOS and NMOS channel composition and channel geometry to match drive currents thereby providing advanced circuit tuning. Advantageously, one process step can be performed per type of epitaxial material to dope epitaxial materials in respective source/drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. GARDNER, H. Jim FULFORD
  • Publication number: 20220102492
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first universal device formed over a substrate, an isolation structure over the first universal device, and a second universal device over the isolation structure. The first universal device includes a first source/drain (S/D) region formed over the substrate, a first channel region over the first S/D region, a second S/D region over the first channel region. The second universal device includes a third S/D region positioned over the isolation structure, a second channel region over the third S/D region, a fourth S/D region over the second channel region. The first universal device is one of a first n-type transistor according to first applied bias voltages, and a first p-type transistor according to second applied bias voltages. The second universal device is one of a second n-type transistor according to third applied bias voltages, and a second p-type transistor according to fourth applied bias voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford
  • Publication number: 20220102533
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a 3D semiconductor apparatus and a method for fabricating the same. The 3D semiconductor apparatus can include a first semiconductor device including sidewall structures of a first gate metal sandwiched by dielectric layers, a first epitaxially grown channel surrounded by the sidewall structures; a second semiconductor device formed on the same substrate adjacent to the first semiconductor device that includes sidewall structures of a second gate metal sandwiched by dielectric layers, a second epitaxially grown channel surrounded by the sidewall structures; a salicide layer formed between the first and second semiconductor devices and metallization contacting each of the S/D regions and the gate regions. The 3D semiconductor apparatus may include a P+ epitaxially grown channel formed on the same substrate adjacent to an N+ epitaxially grown channel, the P+ epitaxially grown channel separated from N+ epitaxially grown channel by a diffusion break.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Mark I. GARDNER, H. Jim FULFORD
  • Publication number: 20220102552
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a floating body vertical field effect transistor with dielectric core and a method for fabricating the same. The floating body vertical field effect transistor can include a first semiconductor device including sidewall structures of a first gate metal sandwiched by dielectric layers, a first epitaxially grown channel surrounded by the sidewall structures and can include a second semiconductor device formed on the same substrate adjacent to the first semiconductor device; a salicide layer or doped layer formed between the first and second semiconductor devices and metallization contacting each of the S/D regions and the gate regions. The floating body vertical field effect transistor may include a P+ epitaxially grown channel formed on the same substrate adjacent to an N+ epitaxially grown channel, the P+ epitaxially grown channel separated from N+ epitaxially grown channel by a diffusion break.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: H. Jim FULFORD, Mark I. GARDNER
  • Patent number: 11282828
    Abstract: Techniques herein include methods of forming higher density circuits by combining multiple substrates via stacking and bonding of individual substrates. High voltage and low voltage devices along with 3D NAND devises are fabricated on a first wafer, and high voltage and low voltage devices and/or memory are then fabricated on a second wafer and/or third wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford
  • Patent number: 11276704
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. In the disclosed method, a stack is formed on a working surface of a substrate. The stack has alternating first layers and second layers positioned over the substrate. A separation structure is formed in the stack that separates the stack into a first region and a second region, where the separation structure extends in a first direction of the substrate. The second layers in the second region are further replaced with insulating layers, and the first layers in the second region are doped with a dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford
  • Publication number: 20220077003
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for fabricating a 3D semiconductor apparatus. The method can include forming a multilayer stack including a plurality of dielectric layers. The dielectric layers can include three or four dielectric materials that can be etched selectively with respect to one another. The method can also include forming opening(s) in the multilayer stack, and filling the opening(s) with first and second channel materials to form first and second channels that interface at a transition dielectric layer the multilayer stack. The method can also include removing second and first source/drain (S/D) dielectric layers of the multilayer stack and replacing with second and first S/D materials to form second and first S/D regions, respectively. The method can also include removing gate dielectric layers of the multilayer stack and replacing with a gate material to form gate regions of the 3D semiconductor apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. GARDNER, H. Jim FULFORD
  • Patent number: 11264289
    Abstract: A method for microfabrication of a three dimensional transistor stack having gate-all-around field-effect transistor devices. The channels hang between source/drain regions. Each channel is selectively deposited with layers of materials designed for adjusting the threshold voltage of the channel. The layers may be oxides, high-k materials, work function materials and metallization. The three dimensional transistor stack forms an array of high threshold voltage devices and low threshold voltage devices in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Kandabara Tapily, Lars Liebmann, Daniel Chanemougame, Mark Gardner, H. Jim Fulford, Anton J. Devilliers
  • Publication number: 20220059413
    Abstract: Techniques herein include methods for fabricating complete field effect transistors having an upright or vertical orientation. The methods can utilize epitaxial growth to provide fine control over material deposition and thickness of said material layers. The methods can provide separate control of channel doping in either NMOS and/or PMOS transistors. All of a source, channel, and drain can be epitaxially grown in an opening into a dielectric layer stack, with said doping executed during said epitaxial growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. GARDNER, H. Jim FULFORD
  • Publication number: 20220052186
    Abstract: Microfabrication of a collection of transistor types on multiple transistor planes in which both HV (high voltage transistors) and LV (low-voltage transistors) stacks are designed on a single substrate. As high voltage transistors require higher drain-source voltages (Vds), higher gate voltages (Vg), and thus higher Vt (threshold voltage), and relatively thicker 3D gate oxide thicknesses, circuits made as described herein provide multiple different threshold voltages devices for both low voltage and high voltage devices for NMOS and PMOS, with multiple different gate oxide thickness values to enable multiple transistor planes for 3D devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. GARDNER, H. Jim FULFORD
  • Publication number: 20220051905
    Abstract: Techniques herein provide thermal processing solutions applicable to both existing FINFET applications, including wrap-around contacts, as well as 3D architectures such as transistor-on-transistor and gate-on-gate monolithic or heterogeneous CFET. Techniques include heating or annealing a first target material without heating or affecting performance of a second material or other materials. Techniques include using a first heating process to heat a substrate and materials provided thereon to a first temperature, and then using a wavelength/frequency tunable second heating process to increase temperature of the target material without increasing temperature of the second material or other materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey SMITH, Hiroaki NIIMI, Daniel CHANEMOUGAME, Lars LIEBMANN, H. Jim FULFORD, Mark I. GARDNER, Kandabara TAPILY, Anton J. DEVILLIERS
  • Patent number: 11251080
    Abstract: Techniques herein include methods for fabricating three-dimensional (3D) logic or memory stack integrated with 3D metal routing. The methods can include stacking metal layers within existing 3D silicon stacks. A first portion can be masked while a second, uncovered portion is etched. Predetermined layers in a bottom portion (disposed closer to the substrate) of the multilayer stack can be replaced with a conductor. The second portion can be masked while the first portion is uncovered and processed. This can enable higher density 3D circuits by having multiple metal lines contained within a multilayer 3D nano-sheet. Advantageously, this facilitates easier connections for 3D logic and memory. Moreover, better speed performance can be achieved by having reduced distance for signals to travel to transistor connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford, Anton Devilliers
  • Patent number: 11251159
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an NMOS device formed on a first substrate bonded with a second substrate having a PMOS device formed thereon, with the bonding achieved by contacting a first wiring layer formed on the NMOS device with a second wiring layer formed on the PMOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: H. Jim Fulford, Mark I. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20220020744
    Abstract: In a method for forming a semiconductor device, an epitaxial layer stack is formed over a substrate. The epitaxial layer stack includes intermediate layers, one or more first nano layers with a first bandgap value and one or more second nano layers with a second bandgap value. Trenches are formed in the epitaxial layer stack to separate the epitaxial layer stack into sub-stacks such that the one or more first nano layers are separated into first nano-channels, and the one or more second nano layers are separated into second nano-channels. The intermediate layers are recessed so that the first nano-channels and the second nano-channels in each of the sub-stacks protrude from sidewalls of the intermediate layers. Top source/drain (S/D) regions are formed in the trenches and in direct contact with the first nano-channels. Bottom source/drain (S/D) regions are formed in the trenches and in direct contact with the second nano-channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford
  • Patent number: 11222964
    Abstract: Microfabrication of a collection of transistor types on multiple transistor planes in which both HV (high voltage transistors) and LV (low-voltage transistors) stacks are designed on a single substrate. As high voltage transistors require higher drain-source voltages (Vds), higher gate voltages (Vg), and thus higher Vt (threshold voltage), and relatively thicker 3D gate oxide thicknesses, circuits made as described herein provide multiple different threshold voltages devices for both low voltage and high voltage devices for NMOS and PMOS, with multiple different gate oxide thickness values to enable multiple transistor planes for 3D devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford
  • Publication number: 20220005805
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method of forming a semiconductor apparatus. A stack of dielectric layers is formed over a semiconductor layer on a substrate of the semiconductor apparatus. Multiple openings are formed in the stack of dielectric layers. Multiple pillars including first sub-pillars and second sub-pillars are formed in the multiple openings. A cantilever structure that includes a first cantilever beam and a second cantilever beam is formed. A cantilever supporting structure that includes a portion of a first subset of the multiple pillars is formed. The first cantilever beam connects the second cantilever beam and the cantilever supporting structure. One of the stack of dielectric layers is removed to expose first portions of the first sub-pillars and second portions of the second sub-pillars. Isolation structures are formed between the first sub-pillars and the respective second sub-pillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: H. Jim FULFORD, Mark I. GARDNER